Di Ronghua gave her a gentle glance. “Yes, Uncle is very impressive.”
“Jiangjiang really likes Uncle. Does Pretty Mama like him too?”
“…”
The corner of Di Ronghua’s mouth twitched, and she quickly changed the subject. “When we go in later, if Uncle is asleep, don’t wake him, okay?”
Jiangjiang nodded solemnly. “Okay!”
…
But Di Ronghua had only said it offhand. She hadn’t expected that when they entered, Xiao Hanjin would actually be asleep.
The handsome man sat on the dragon chair in the outer hall, his head propped on his hand. An open memorial lay before him, and the flickering candlelight cast shadows across his deep, chiseled features, making them appear somewhat indistinct in the dimness.
Di Ronghua instinctively lightened her steps. Holding Jiangjiang, she walked into the inner hall, tucked the sleeping child into bed with a blanket, and then stepped back out.
The man in the outer hall remained in the same position, seemingly too exhausted to be roused.
Di Ronghua paused at the doorway, glancing at him.
After a brief, almost imperceptible hesitation, she withdrew her gaze and started to leave. But then, as if remembering something, she stopped again.
“Xiao Hanjin.”
Her voice was soft, tinged with cautious probing.
The man didn’t respond.
Di Ronghua frowned, turning back to approach him. She lightly touched his shoulder. “Xiao Hanjin?”
This time her voice was louder, but still, no reply.
Her expression shifted abruptly. She grabbed his arm with force. “Wake up!” She shook him hard, her voice tight with barely audible strain and trembling. “Xiao Hanjin, what’s wrong with you? Hey!”
What was wrong? Had something really happened?
She’d thought ignoring it would be fine, that with his exceptional medical skills, he’d surely be okay. But what was this now?
If her intrusion earlier that day had been fueled more by anger than worry, at this moment, a subtle thread of panic began to weave through her.
Di Ronghua’s lips moved. “Someone… someone come quick!”
Her voice went from dazed to sharp in an instant.
But just as the door was pushed open, the man she gripped tightly opened his eyes.
Seeing the little eunuch step in, he spoke in a low, hoarse voice. “Get out.”
The eunuch froze. “…”
“Yes, sir.”
As the eunuch retreated, Di Ronghua’s face darkened instantly. “You tricked me on purpose?”
The man rubbed his brow. “Why are you here?”
Di Ronghua yanked her hand away, turning to leave.
But in the next second, her wrist was caught. The grip wasn’t strong, and as she struggled to pull free, Xiao Hanjin stood. His tall frame leaned forward, arms wrapping around her from behind. “I’m fine. Nothing’s wrong, hmm?”
Di Ronghua’s body stiffened.
His raspy voice dropped lower, laced with clear reassurance. “Ronghua, don’t worry. Don’t be afraid.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, her heart suddenly feeling like it’d been wrenched.
Xiao Hanjin’s hand on her waist patted her gently, each touch unbelievably tender. “Why’d you come looking for me so late?”
Di Ronghua closed her eyes again. “Jiangjiang couldn’t sleep, so I brought her back to rest.”
A pause. “You don’t have to force it from now on. Let her sleep with you. Once she gets more comfortable with me over time, we’ll see. There’s no rush.”
Xiao Hanjin’s movements paused slightly as he noticed her gaze drifting, unfocused, landing nowhere in particular.
